Singapore could not have been as magnificent a stay if we had not met Betty, Tom and Jeffrey. These three individuals treated us like royalty and we were spoiled rotten by their help generosity. Thank you so much for the tours of Singapore, the perfect living quarters (an apt. with 5 pools and tennis courts), the help getting around, the entertainment, and the opportunity to throw plates on the floor and dance on tables. There is a special place for you in our hearts and in our home in Canada.

I have been "blogging" my impressions of this trip since the beginning. The boys have asked to contribute some comments for this Singaporean adventure. They could not agree on many points of view so a chart to offer a condensed version of their thoughts seemed preferable. By the way, since it is "très difficile" for me not to join in any conversation (Fear of Missing Something Syndrome), I have to tell you that I loved Singapore and could easily live here

Singapore; the city/island/country, is the place to be if you like feeling safe, technical advancement, efficiency, clean surroundings (from recycling to energy conservation) NO GRAFFITI, top of the line medical care and education, low unemployment, a booming economy, beautiful animal parks, lush green spaces, a constant flow of cultural and sporting events, warm temperatures year round and cheap food. The downtown area is master piece design with its colonial buildings, foot bridges, riverfront restaurants and boutiques, sports clubs, museums and modern architecture. To top it off, all around the island, there is a display of eclectic sculptures from the classic to modern genre and superbly designed fountains...they know how to work with water! Singapore became independent from England around 1960 and separated from Malaysia in 1965 ish. It was basically a country left with very little and developed into one with the highest standards of living I have ever witnessed. This is the "little engine that could" to ascend Everest. What I also appreciated is that the population is unafraid to signal out what works well and what is simply unacceptable; crime is destructive and stopped. People are polite and always respectful. Nothing wrong here in wishing someone Happy Chinese New Year, Merry Christmas or Happy Diwali; celebrating and honouring it all!

. Can we have a zoo in Ottawa? Can I work with monkeys and lions at the same time?X: ( 11 year old) This is the best zoo I have seen in all of my entire life. Do you think the monkeys can poop on our head? Me: The animals look so happy here. Let's go see more monkeys.TY: Yeah, I do resemble that lion.

Botanical garden(Living art, spacious) thanks Jeffrey

E: Bet I can beat anyone at Hide and Seek.X: Yah! Let's hide in the flowers.Me: Look at all these orchids! Wait, wait, one more picture.Ty: Didn't you buy one of these in Ottawa and it died?

Downtown area (Humming, fun, shopping, great districts like China town and Little India, )